Separable sectional foot apparel



ug- 17, 1 J. BURKHOLZ 2,686,376

SEPARABLE SECTIONAL FOOT APPAREL Filed Aug. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l 56 INVENTOR.

i j. 3. 72 BYJOSEPH BURKHOL z 68 7 4 C8 F 66 M A TTOQNEY Aug. 17, 1954 J, BURKHOLZ SEPARABLE SECTIONAL FOOT APPAREL Filed Aug. .28 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. dasmv flak/W 42 ATTO/Q/VEV Patented Aug. 17, 1954 UNITED STATES PANT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to separable sectional foot apparel.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination of a member of the shoe type and an associated member for association with the member of the shoe type, where the associated member may be of a stocking type or similar to a lining for the shoe type member, where the members may be fitted together so as to be readily separable, and yet be capable of immediate assembly into a substantially unitary article of wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide, for a combination of the type indicated, securing means which is conveniently and instantly releasable, and is of such type as to enable the associated member to be washed by being separated from association with the shoe type member, or to be replaced by another member of the same or a difierent class.

In order to carry out certain of the purposes of the invention, a shoe type member, as, for instance, one of the slipper or moccasin category, has a toe cover at the forward end; the elements of a separable slide fastener are arranged to terminate beneath the cover but otherwise to extend about the periphery of the opening into the slipper or moccasin; the other elements of the fastener are arranged upon an associated member, as, for instance, a sock or a separable lining for the shoe type member. The sections of the separable fastener may be brought together and interlocked; thus the associated member and the shoe type member will be given a orientation to each other and become a substantially fixedly associated unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of the type indicated, wherein an article such as a sock may be donned, and then be brought into assembly with a shoe type member such as a slipper, and there, by means of suitable separable means, such as a slide fastener, arranged for neat concealment, the sock will hold the slipper against separation from the assembled relationship.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which are illustrated embodiments of constructions for carrying out the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction or constructions, or to any particular arrangement of parts, or to any particular application of any such constructions or any such arrangement of M parts, or to any specific method of operation, or

to any of the various details thereof, even wherespecifically shown and described herein, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or may be applied in many varied relations, without departing from .the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, practical constructions em-v bodying certain details of the invention being illustrated and described, but only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for the disclosure of an operative embodiment, and without attempting to disclose all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention mightbe embodied.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Serial No. 201,119, filed December 16, 1950, now abandoned.

On the drawings, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which are disclosed such practical constru ctions:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, showing an article of foot apparel embodying features of the invention, shown in use upon the foot of a wearer, the sockand the slipper being held secured together by means of the closed separable slide fastener;

Fig. 2 is a detail transverse cross-sectional view, taken substantially vertically on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1, but only of the sock-portion of the assembly, shown removed from assembly with the slipper;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slipper portion of the assembly, shown separated from the, assembly with the sock;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view of a portion of the slide fastener, showing the separator portions as applied to the slipper and sock elements;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly of a slipper in which a removable lining has been assembled in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but of the lining alone, as it appears removed from the.

fastener on both slipper and lining, as seen from the side opposite to that from which the slip per is viewed in Fig. 6, to illustrate the manner in which the sections of the separator for the slide fastener are matched together.

Referring to the assembly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, a shoe type member, such as slipper it), receives a stocking type member such as a sock 12, the two being retained in the assembled relation by suitable separable means such as the separable slide fastener 14.

Slipper IE! may have any desired construction; in certain relations and for certain purposes, the slipper may have certain of the characteristics of a moccasin. For instance, it may be made up to comprise an outsole 16 which may be formed from suitable material such as a thin, soft leather. On this may be positioned, and held in place by any suitable means, as for instance, cementing, a layer id of any suitable material, as, for instance, one which is soft and spongy, such as sponge or foam rubber. This layer then may function as an insole, as best seen in Fig. 2. Layer [8 may be topped by a surfacing 20 of woven or felted fibres, preferably soft fibres, to increase the comfort in wear.

An upper 22 may be made of a single or a number of pieces for the slipper. The material for upper 22 may be selected in accordance with the design features to be imparted to the slipper. For instance, two strips 24 and 26 of a suede leather are out of a width and length to form side walls 28. Toe wall 30 is defined by strip 24, and the rearmost portions of side walls 28 and the heel wall or counter 32 are defined by strip 24. These two strips may be secured together, to form the upper, before the upper is assembled with outsole Hi; this may be done by securing the two strips together, as, for instance, by seams 34.

Now before layer [8, with its surfacing 20, is applied, the edges of outsole l6 and of upper 22 so formed, may be secured together, for instance, by stitching them together along a seam line 36. For this purpose, upper 22 may be turned inside out. Finally (Fig. 2), the stitched together outsole and upper are bent back into position. Now layer l8, which may have been preliminarily cut to a pattern from a sheet having surfacing 2G adhered thereto, may be cemented to the inner face of outsole I6. Thus, as finally produced, layer [8 may function to keep the sole of the wearer away from seam 36.

For certain purposes of the invention, a cap or tip 38 is provided at the front or forward end of slipper H); for this purpose, a piece 40 of material, which may be of the same type as that for strips 24 and 26, may be cut out of suitable shape, here shown as approximately semi-elliptical. This piece is positioned above and in overlapping relation to toe wall 30. It may be secured in position by any suitable means; a line of stitching 42 may be utilized for this purpose. Edge 44 of piece 40, and, therefore, stitching 42, are positioned below the top edge of toe wall 30, at least at the position adjacent edge 45. In this manner, the top edge 46 of upper 22 adjacent edge 45 is free of stitching 42, for assembly therewith of one tape 48 of separable slide fastener I4.

For certain of the purposes herein, a slide fastener M of the type generally known as the separator type is used, that is, one which may F be completely separated at both ends. Such a slide fastener has a separator coupling 50 which permits complete separation of the two tapes 48 and 52 when the slider 54 has been moved to open the slide fastener to its very end. Each tape may be constructed with the usual series of slide fastener elements 56 which, when slider 54 is manipulated to closed position, are interlocked. The elements on the two tapes may be separated; then one of the tapes, as, for instance, tape 48, as may be seen in Fig. 4, may be mounted on upper 22. For this purpose, the cloth portion of the tape may be positioned against the inner face of the upper adjacent the top edge, so that the elements extend above that top edge. The tape is secured to upper 22 in this position, by suitable means such as stitches 58. Tape 48 is positioned so that the element of separator coupling mounted thereon will be beneath tip 38, while an end or top stop 6D at the other end of the tape is likewise positioned beneath tip 33 on the other side of tip 38.

Tape 48 is so stitched as to present a continuous series of teeth, formed by the projecting elements 56, the teeth extending substantially all along the periphery of upper 22 rearwadly of tip 38 at both its side limits. Stop member 60, in association with a like member on tape 52, limits the slider against continued forward movement. Both stops, at this limit, are disposed beneath tip 38, and, in the final assembly of the slipper and the sock, are wholly concealed by the tip.

Sock I2 may be of any suitable shape, construction and material; in the specific embodiment shown in the drawing, the sock is shown as having an ankle portion 62 and a foot portion 64. It is obvious that only a portion of such sock sufiicient to receive tape 52 is necessary. Foot portion 64 may include a lower or sole portion 65 and an upper portion 68. Tape 52 is secured to foot portion 64, as, for instance, by means of stitching 10. To effect this result, it may be found desirable, after tape 48 has been stitched to upper 22, to assemble its associated tape 52 therewith, thus leaving the fabric portion 12 extending as the free edge. Now sock I2 is inserted into slipper l0, and there properly associated as to the form it will take when finally worn. Basting stitches may then be used to locate fabric portion 12 on the body of the sock. Then slider 54, by moving it up to coupling 50, is effective to separate tapes 48 and 52, whereupon the sock, with fabric portion 12 basted thereto, may be removed from the assembly. Then the tape may be secured permanently to the sock by stitch ing l9, which may be effected in any desired manner, as, for instance, by overcasting stitches by a machine of the blindstitch type over the edge of tape 52 and into the body of the sock.

The terminal ends of tape 52 are at a position removed from the front or toe end of foot por tion 64 to locate the complementary part of coupling 50 on one end on one slide of said foot portion, and a stop member 14 at the other end on the other side, of the foot portion. These parts are located to cooperate, in the closed position of Fig. 1, so that coupling 50, and stops and 14 with slider 54 abutted thereagainst, are concealed substantially completely under tip 38. Tape 52 extends, from its terminal portions, rearwardly toward and around the back or heel end of foot portion 54. The slide fastener elements 56 mounted on tape 52 project downwardly from the lower or outer edge of tape 52, for proper engagement with the elements on tape 48. Slider 54 may be assembled on tape 52 in the usual manner of such separable slide fasteners, to be brought into association with the elements of co p n 50.

In assembling slipper 1.0 :and sock iI2 to produce the effect of a unitary article of footwear, sock I2 is assembled in proper position slipper 2, with foot portion 64 engaged 'in the recess formed beneath tip 38. Slider 5:2- is positioned at the extreme forward position, shown in Fig. 3, against the associated portion of coupling as. The parts of coupling 50, in cooperation with slider '54, are now interlocked; slider 54 .may then be actuated to interlock the two series of fastener elements 56. When slider 5d finally reaches stops 5c and 14, the fastener has been closed, as shown in Fig. l in that position, slider as will be stored and concealed out of sight beneath tip 38. Since the forward ends of both tapes it and 52 are beneath tip 38 and slightly forward of edge 45, the raw effect of the ends of the tapes will be concealed from view.

In this manner, sock I2 is held assembled with slipper I0, resulting in a comfortable, durable and inexpensive unitary article of footwear. Tapes s8 and 52, by their method of assembly, permit a degree of freedom of movement of sock I2 with relation to the foot of the wearer even while sock I2 remains secured to the relatively less flexible slipper I0. When it is desired to replace sock 12, or remove it from washing, slide fastener It may be disengaged quickly and easily, and sock I 2 withdrawn from slipper I0.

C n Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the invention is shown in its application for a somewhat similar, though somewhat different, purpose. A shoe form, similar to a moccasin or slipper, may be the base of the assembly. The function of separability is imparted, in this case, to the lining of the shoe. One result is that the lining of a shoe or slipper is made capable of cleansing by washing or other operation.

A particular application is illustrated in the case of a slipper, such as a house slipper. A slipper "It is shown to comprise a sole L3 to which an upper 80 may be secured in any desired mannor, as, for instance, by stitching. Padding 82 of felt, or a similar filler or insole, may be assembled and secured in place; in the illustration, it is shown secured to the sole and upper by the same stitches which hold sole and upper together. A toe form 84 may be provided, and may be built up in any desired manner. It provides a recess 86 to receive the toes of the wearer. The heel portion 83 of the slipper may be constructed in any desired manner, such as that heretofore described for slipper I0, or in any oth r well-known manner.

Immediately adjacent the free edge 99 of upper 8%, one section c2 of a slide fastener 94 may be secured, substantially in the same manner as in Fig. 4, to extend completely around the upper from toe form 84 on one side, and then back to the toe form on the other side. Elements 9% of the slide fastener are left free to extend upwardly above edge 90, as in Fig. 4, for the reception of the complementary elements 98 of the other section I00 which, as will be described further, are assembled with a lining member I02. At one end I0t of section 92, a stop I06 may be provided; at the other end, the element I08 of a separator IIO may be provided.

Lining member I02 may be constructed in any desired manner. In the drawing, it is shown to have the general shape of slipper I6, although necessarily smaller as it is to fit within the slipper. The material of which it is made may be similar to that which usually forms the lining of a shoe.

In this case, the material is provided with padding, and may be cross-stitched or quilted, as shown by lines I, to impart substantial :rigidity .and softness to member I02. Lining member I02 .may comprise a sole II2. It may have a toe form H4 of any desired shaping formed therewith; in the illustration, toe form :HII is shown closely to approximate toe form 84. Sole II2 may be secured together with an upper I IS 'in any preferred manner. In the instance shown, the two edges are secured together with a binding tape IIB effectively concealing the stitched together edges.

Lining member I02 is so proportioned to slipper I6 that it may be inserted into slipper 16, and be removed therefrom, at will, in the manner .to be described. Along upper H5, the other section I00 of fastener 94, .secured in place, is positioned so that it will match up with section 92 accurately when member I02 is inserted into slipper J6. When lining member I02 is inserted into slipper I6, end I20 of section I00 preferably will be located beneath wall I22 of toe form it may have a stop 124. This will also be true of end I26 which carries the complementary portion I28 of separator I I0.

When member I02 has been assembled within slipper 1B, element I08 maybe passed through slider I30 and then become nested in portion I23. Slider I 30 is retracted against portion I23 for that purpose, in the usual manner of the functioning of separators. Slider I30 is now pulled along to mesh elements 96 and 98 of sections 92 and I00, to close the fastener to the condition of Fig. 6. The final result is that the ends of the slide fastener are housed completely beneath toe form 84, and the lining is held securely in place.

Whenever it is desired to remove the lining for cleansing or other purposes, it is necessary only to retract the slider from its completely closed position, and to bring it again against portion I28. Thereupon the two sections of the slide fastener may be separated, the lining withdrawn from the slipper, and whatever has to be done to the lining accomplished.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular apparatus designed, and in the methods of operation set forth, and in the specific details thereof, without substantially departing from the invention defined in the claims, the specific description being merely of operative embodiments capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. The combination comprising an outer article of footwear having a sole, an upper, and a covering tip, the tip being secured to the upper, an associated member having a sole portion and a body portion, the member being received in said article of footwear with its sole portion resting on the inner face of the sole of the article and the body portion extending upwardly above the upper, a continuous slide fastener element secured to the upper but not to the tip, another continuous slide fastener element secured to said body portion above the upper, the elements, when the member is received in the article, being continuously coextensive and located adjacent and in cooperating relation to each other, and a slider for closing the elements to secure the member to said outer article of footwear.

2. The combination comprising an outer article of footwear having a sole, a toe portion at the forward end thereof, and an upper assembled with the toe portion and extending rearwardly therefrom along the sole, the toe portion and the upper being substantially permanently assembled, a series of slide fastener elements on said upper and extending from beneath the toe portion along the length of the upper on one side and then on the other side to the toe portion, an associate member within said article having a sole resting on the article sole, a complementary series of slide fastener elements carried by said member and, when article and member are assembled with each other, extending along and adjacent said upper-positioned series, each series at the toe portion having means for initiating engagement of the series with each other and for effecting complete separation of the series from each other and thereby of the member from the article, the engagement-initiating means including a slider, at least one of the series having a stop member to limit movement of the slider against separation from the elements, the stop member being located beneath said toe portion, the slider engaging the series of the slide fastener elements to interlock them for securing the member in assembled relation with said article, the slider, when the series of fastener elements are in engagement, abutting against said stop member beneath the toe portion.

3, The combination comprising an outer article of footwear having a sole, an upper, a covering tip secured to and extending partially over the upper, a member receivable in and providing a liner for the article, the member having a sole resting on the inner face of the article sole when the liner is within the article, a slide fastener element secured to and extending along the upper from the covering tip, another slide fastener element secured to the liner, the elements, when the liner is within the article of footwear, being located adjacent and in cooperating relation to each other, and a slider for closing the elements to secure the liner to the article, the elements having sufiicient extent beneaththe covering tip to house the slider.

4. An article of footwear including a toe portion at the forward end thereof, an upper extending beneath the toe portion and then rearwardly', a L

series of slide fastener elements located on said upper and extending from beneath the toe portion one one side along the length of the upper to extend beneath the toe portion on the other side, an associate member for interfitting with t fastener elements with each other and for eifecting complete separation of the series from each other and thereby of the member from the article, the engagement-initiating means including a slider, at least one of the series having a stop member to limit movement of the slider against separation from the slide fastener elements, said stop member being located beneath said toe portion, and the slider, when abutting the stop memher, being concealed beneath the toe portion.

5, The combination comprising an outer article of footwear having a sole, a toe portion at the forward end thereof, and an upper extending beneath the toe portion and then rearwardly along the sole, a series of slide fastener elements located on said upper and extending from beneath the toe portion on one side along the length of the upper to beneath the toe portion on the other side, a stocking type member within said article and having a sole resting on the article sole, a complementary series of slide fastener elements secured to said member and extending along and adjacent said upper-positioned series so as to be cooperable therewith, one series at one end position beneath the toe portion having means for guiding the series of fastener elements on the complementary series into initial engagement with the fastener elements of said one series and permitting complete separation of the series from each other, and thereby of the stocking type member from the article of footwear, the guiding means including a slider, at least one of the series having a stop member at the opposite end of the series to limit movement of the slider against separation from the slide fastener elements, said. stop member being located beneath said toe portion, the slider engaging the two series of the slide fastener elements to interlock them for securing the stocking type member in assembled relation with said article, the slider, when the series of fastener elements are in engagement, abutting against said stop member beneath the toe portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,093,032 Cadenas Apr. 14, 1914 1,803,554 Knilans May 5, 1931 2,238,804 Brown Apr. 5, 1941 2,422,410 Gross June 1'7, 194'! 2,444,640 Epstein July 6, 1948 2,550,334 Dahlhouser Apr. 24, 1951 2,578,091 Reed Dec. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 859,262 France June 3, 1940 

